Genre: psych
Rating: 4 stars ****
Title: New Zealand Trading Company
Company: Memphis
Catalog: MS 1001
Year: 1970
Country/State: unknown
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: still in shrink wrap
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5127
Price: $50.00
Here's a complete unknown that's well worth picking up given that it's quite good and still affordable.
In spite of the name I'd be willing to bet they weren't from New Zealand (by the way there really is an international trading company that goes by the same name). Whoever these guys were (the front and back album covers show a six piece outfit), their sole 1970 album was re-mixed and issued by a small Memphis-based company. Also worth mentioning, their anonymous lead singer had a mild accent that sounded Dutch to my ears. (see the notes at the bottom)
Produced by N. Rosenberg, "New Zealand Trading Company" was a pretty fine release. Apparently featuring original material (the lone exception being a cover of The Beatles 'Hey Jude'), the album showcased an engaging set of light-psych influences. That was kind of a surprise for me since a couple of brief reviews I'd seen painted this as being blued-eyed soul (perhaps due to the label). At least to my ears a far better comparison would be a tripper version of The Association. Like that band, material such as 'Nine To Five' and 'Could Be' featured strong melodies and nice group harmonies, though coupled with more experimental arrangements. The only real disappointments were the MOR closing ballad 'Total Stranger' and their Beatles cover. The 'Hey Jude' arrangement wasn't really bad, slapping a weird pseudo-jazzy vibe on the song and ending it with a quick nod to 'Norwegian Wood'). That said it was simply a song you didn't need to hear again (from anyone). Highlights included the fuzz-propelled opener 'Oh What a Day', 'Jam and Anti-Freeze' and the 'Eleanore Rigby' inspired 'Winnifred Jelicoe'. Certainly not the most original LP you'll stumble across, but tons of fun ... By the way, while I have no idea what the words are about, the funky 'Rud Moko' may be in Tarawan.
"New
Zealand Trading Company" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Oh What a Day (Alberto Carrion) - 2:45
2.) Jam and Anti-Freeze (Thomas Kini - B Kennedy) - 4:11
3.) Nine To Five (B Kennedy - M. Moore - Thomas Kini) - 2:17
4.) Hey Jude (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 8:18
(side
2)
1.) Winnifred Jelicoe (B Kennedy - M. Moore) - 3:47
2.) Rud Moko (Thomas Kini) - 2:45
3.) Could Be (Thomas Kini M Moore) - 3:49
4.) The Prisoner (Thomas Kini - B Kennedy) - 3:10
5.) Total Stranger (Alberto Carrion) - 4:28
And once again the internet provides a subject matter expert to correct my earlier assumptions !
I noted on your great site your guess New Zealand Trading Company had no New Zealand connections. The band was indeed from New Zealand, a late incarnation of the Maori Hi Quins, which were one of the plethora of Maori showbands which emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These bands, with a predominantly Maori membership, mixed show tunes, rock and roil, soul, and comedy. They initially found work in Australian clubs, then further afield, including Hawaii and the continental US. You will still come across old Maori showband musicians in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and other towns where there is plenty of hotel work to keep musos going. According to my notes prepared for a discography of Maori music (currently on hold due to a hard disc meltdown!), they included Thomas Kini, Eddie Nuku, Kawana Waitere (all Maori) Neville Turner (came over from the Maori Troubadours) and Lynn Alvarez (maybe someone they picked up in the US).
Guitarist turned bassist Kini stayed on in the US, recording with Brazilian
Manfredo Fest, Minnie Ripperton, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Herbie
Hancock and George Benson. He died in Chicago in 2004.
By the way the language you hear is Maori, which like Tarawan is one of the
300+ Austronesian languages. Ruomoko is the god of volcanoes. I'm still
trying for an unsealed copy at a reasonable price so I can hear it:-)
Adam Gifford
February 2009